“I’m gonna leave if you don’t stopbegging to bite me. It’s weird.Find something else to test your fangs on.”
“Please, please, please please please—”
“No!”She yanked the door open and ran out.
“Just a little nibble. It won’t even hurt!”I shouted, running after her. “I vant to suck your blood!”
“No means no!”she yelled asI chased her into the living room. She stopped behind the couch and we froze, now engrossed in astare-down.“I will throw this hairbrush at your face if you don’tleave me alone.”
“Youcan’t hit me. I have the reflexes of a cat now. You don’t stand a chance.”I struck a pose and narrowed my eyes while she aimed the brush at my head.
“What are you doing?”Dennis walked up from behind me.
“We’re playing a game,”I said happily.
“No, we’re not. She’s trying to bite me.”Ari jerked and almost fell when Sean appearedbeside her.
“Are you really?”he asked. Both he and Dennis were on edge now, like they might need to cartmeaway.
“Not like that.”I waved a hand. I didn’t need them thinking I’d gone crazy.“A little bite. I don’t even wanna drink anything.”
“For the millionth time, no.”
“Just gimme a finger or something?”I dropped my power pose to clasp my hands.“If I take any blood, I promise I’ll give it right back.”
“How would you evendothat? I’m not a vampire, but I’m pretty sure that’s not possible.”
“Uh…”I glanced at Dennis, who was watching us with a blank expression.“I’ll figure something out?” I turned back to Ari to see the brush tucked in her crossed arms.
“You’re insane,”she said.
“I know you are, but what am I?”I crossed my arms to imitate hers.
“Insane.”
“I know you are, but what am I?”
“Insane!”
“I know you are, but what am—”
“Fucking insane—”
“Oh my god,”Mateoappeared in the room,“what is wrong with you two?”
“They never finished preschool,”Dennissaid.
“I’m going to shower.” Aricautiouslyemerged from behind the couch. “Stay away from me. I will use this.” She held upthe hairbrush as she passed.
“I will.”I waited until she was gone before adding,“For now.”I laughed maniacally.
“I heard that!”She slammed the bathroomdoor.
“Alright, I’m going back to Mateo’s room to change.” Igrabbed my suitcase and swung it around.“This thing is so light now. You’re a liar, by the way.” I swung it toward Dennis instead of pointing. “Ari turned the light on earlier and I swear I almostmelted. Icould literally feel my skin sliding off.”
“Indoor light takes some getting used to, but it won’t hurt. It’s not like sunlight.”
“You could’ve at least warned me.I’m gonna go change, but we have much to discuss when I come back,”I told all three of them. I held onto my towel and headed to Mateo’s room.
